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Going forward, it may be best simply to quote what the recruits are saying. Even if it's via text message or whatever (I know this can be hard sometimes with phone interviews). It's best to simply say exactly what the recruit is saying and let the readers try to decipher them so so that you don't accidently change how something is said. It's kind of a catch all but it's probably safer and better for you in the long run.

If this interview really pissed off Reeves that much, which I doubt, Mattison will be able to fix it. I doubt that he's going to drop Michigan because of an interview. If anything, he just won't interview with Aquaman again, or accept Aquaman's apology and move on.

These issues come up with just about anyone covering recruiting—misunderstandings happen, especially when dealing with high school kids and talking via text, on facebook, or really anything that isn't in person or over the phone (and even then, failures in communication occur). Aquaman provided the exact quote, and I don't think there's much more you can ask for. Clearly, they interpreted the use of the word "opportunity" in different fashions. Like I said, these things happen—no need to bash Aquaman for that, and I highly doubt Reeves is going to factor this into his choice about where to go to college. More important factors are at play in that regard.

My issue with this is( I realize this is petty and I'm not actually mad it just is one of those things you know that you don't understand and keeps coming up like when they used to sell hot dog buns in 6 packs and hot dogs in 8 packs)

A) Almost all schools offer the "opportunity" of early playing time. If you are the best player at your position the coach will play you so it should be of no significance as a question or an answer. It is implied and should never come up.

B) If the player he is being told he has an excellent chance to play because of quality of play or lack of players it should make sense.

Here's an example.

Makes Sense-

Rich Rod in 09-"Hey Tate I have 1 scholarship QB on the roster and he runs a 5.2 40, if you come to Michigan and enroll early I can see you have an opportunity to play right away.

Doesn't make sense-

Meyer and Hoke in 12- Hey were returning our starting CB's and many of our backups to our top 20 defenses, you are enrolling in June, you have a great chance of earning early playing time.

I don't have a dog in this fight (I didn't read the original whatever-it-was) but I wanted to respond to one point. I think prospective college students do, sometimes, latch on to small issues and make them big. They are faced with a tough choice--multiple offers, each with compelling reasons to choose them. The decision seems like it will be life-altering.

You know what's appealing in a situation like that? A reason to rule one out and not look back. Sometimes the reasons are stupid, or trivial, or tied to things that should be forgiveable, but they are embraced regardless. I saw it frequently when I worked in admissions. Students who were otherwise meticulous and careful in every aspect of choosing their colleges would rule one (or more) out for a lousy reason.

I assume it happens in athletics recruiting too. For example, would you throw away a free University of Michigan education when, on your recruiting visit, someone accidentally miffed your first name and called you Tom? Isn't that a dumbass reason to rule out a place with all that Michigan has to offer?

FWIW, it also works the other way, I think--once a kid really likes a school, big things can become small things. A lot has to happen before they'll change their mind. They'll forgive even things, like, ahem, the Happy Valley mess.

Of course, I hope Armani is either very reasonable, or very high on Michigan, and this will be the small blip it has been made out to be. But based on my experience working with students in their college search, I am wary of assuming a small thing will be a small thing to a recruit who is struggling with a decision.

I noticed in your updates you've been bullet-pointing and using selective quoting in the posts. Normally, this wouldn't be a big deal as many questions and answers don't reveal much info, but as you've seen, this is a very touchy subject for recruits.

The possibility of misquoting or taking something out of context is much greater when you breakdown an interview rather than just giving a transcript and then your commentary.

I'm not usually one of those "He's only 18 therefore if he does anything stupid he shouldn't be held accountable" guys, but for a high school kid to be put into a situation where thousands of older men (and women) are following his every move is a bit ridiculous. I think Terry just didn't quite understand that everything he said would be held under a microscope by thousands of people. This is why twitter is a bad idea in general for young athletes.

that sounds very un-Hoke-like, opportunity to play sounds more like it. And I think it is good that Reeves cares to get the point just right. It shows that he truly understands the coaches' points.

On the flip, the mixture of internet blogs and recruiting have to make it harder for a coach to manage image. When you have a bunch of over-exuberant fans alternatively salivating over a recruit or dumping on them ... what frustration that must cause for coaches.

I think there's absolutely nothing wrong with that clarification and I see nothing in it that would suggest that Michigan has been harmed in any way. If anything, I respect Armani even more for his attitude toward earning playing time.

I think his complaint was that people take his words literally. If there is one thing that these highly-rated high schoolers need, its public relations training. These kids are under a microscope starting at age 15 (some earlier!) and grown adults pay attention to every little word they say/type. Its insane but it is what it is and these kids need training or at least someone who constantly pounds into their heads that they need to be very, very careful what they say and how they say it.

if you look at Armani's tweets and what Aquaman originally posted, I think Armani has a point. Armani used the word "opportunity" properly. Both Aquaman's summary, and his follow up question implied some sort of promise was being made.

What I thought I was saying is that even using the proper words is not enough. People dissect everything these kids say. For example, saying "I have an opportunity to play early" can mean a bunch of things. I would say it means "opportunity" but someone else might say it means "promise." Aquaman did what anyone would do - analyze the statement. Its gotta be a tough job.

Unless you can actually post quotes, it's not an actual interview. Don't get me wrong, I really appreciate your updates and site so far, but you guys started out doing unique interviews that were cool and refreshing. It now seems like you're trying to become a recruiting site/mgoblog v2.0 - I hope you don't go that route. Use quotes, don't interpret info...and I hope you aren't just rewording other reports, bc we already have guys like ACE (chat sports) doing that crap and look how bad we looked with the Yuri Wright thing....let the professionals do the serious interviews! Sorry but TomVH > Tremendous unless this stops happening.

He did absolutely nothing wrong, and simply quoted what he was texted. As for him trying ot be like Tom, come off it. I'm sure there are a great deal of us that would love the opportunity to be able to interview the top prospects in each class. Aqua and his site, nearly took the initiative and made it a reality. I think they're doing an awesome job. Nothing is ever going to be perfect, even TomVH (Kyle Kalis) had his issues.

I think you of all people should tread carefully here, i'm surprised nobody has complained about your "recruiting notes" posts that basically reword premium site info. Why does everybody want to be the next recruiting analyst? It just makes it confusing - I rather get my mgoblog recruiting info from Ace Anbender and the legit recruiting services.

I wish the mods would clean up our board, I can barely keep track of the FACTS.

I mean, I do post recruiting updates that other sites post, as do most others on here. However, what I post, is most always found on the free boards/forums that are easily accessed. I have NEVER repeated something that wasn't already in the title. Also, most of the things I comment on, can also be heard freely every morning on WTKA recruitng insider with Sam Webb. I'm merely a guy who loves recruiting, and enjoys talking about it, as most of the people on this site are. If the Mods had an issue with my posts, I'd hope they'd delete all of them.

I just finished posting a comment related to this in the Reeves thread.

Two suggestions:

(1) I'm with the others who think that you're best off posting the transcript (or at least the full relevant quotes). Truthfully, I thought that your initial interpretation of Reeves actual words was a stretch, and I'm not surprised that it bothered him.

(2) If/when you edit a post on your blog, I'd note somewhere in that blog post that it was edited. I remember being surprised to read that Armani was promised playing time, and when I went back it seemed to me that the language of your post had changed. For credibility purposes, I'd note that directly on the blog. (Apologies if I'm just mis-remembering this.)

There are so many things that can be taken in the wrong sense while texting. For Aqua, and all interviewers, all they can do is repeat what was said to them, it's definitely not a perfect system. It's also tough for kids like Armanim because sometimes what they say isn't really what they want to portray. Plus, with as many interviews as these kids give, it's probably somewhat difficult to remember what you said to each person. Either way, keep up the good work, Aqua.

The first is bad. The second is almost inevitable. Armani doesn't sound like someone who will shun Michigan for this horrific affront. He sounds like a good kid who doesn't want people to think he's taking his position for granted.

My advice, and it relates to your interview of Garnett, would be this: Don't ask leading questions, and avoid asking simple "Yes or no" questions. Make sure that you attempt to word your questions in a manner where the answer comes directly from the words of the interviewee.

For example, don't ask Garnett if Michigan is his leader. It leaves the door open to that insinuative maybe that really is just confusing. In the Armani Reeves situation, you should ask, "What have the Michigan coaches told you about playing time?"

A good interviewer must always ask open-ended questions and allow the interviewee to word his thoughts for himself.

what he said. What kid -hell, what adult- hasn't said something that in after thought could have been said better. Both of you are in a difficult position, you being into the recruiting and simply getting an interview while he is being gracious enough to grant one while probably not rehearsing or giving a lot of thought into what he's going to say; it's exciting and interesting and I can see how something could be easily mis-said or misconstrued.

This is a pretty slippery slope. Learn from this experience, don't let it damper your enthusiasm; I'm sure everyone here at MgoBlog appreciates your efforts. If I were you I would review what is said with your interviewee in the future, making double sure it is okay with them that this is how he/she is to be quoted. You are doing this for your benefit as well; the interviewee is the life blood of your information service. If you start getting a bad rep, recruits may be hesitant to give you these wonderful interviews in the future.

LOL, it's quite the soap opera. To be honest, I've never seen somebody so supportive of another man taking his job like Ace Anbender with Tremendous....wait...is Aquaman really Ace in e-disguise?! As the MGoWorld turns...

I never thought I would say this but I'm starting to think we might have too many "recruiting experts" on this and other boards. Recruits already have at least one Michigan guy from Mgoblog, Rivals, Scout and a few other sites calling them and asking for an interview. I could be wrong but my guess is some recruits are turned off by this.

IMO we should pick the best and most knowledgeable person and have him/her provide us with all of the recruiting information and interviews.

Hello everyone, my name is ClarkiefromCanada and I have a recruiting problem. Every day I check MgoBlog, Benji's MGoRecruit, Brice's Recruiting, Tremendous...once I even checked Magnus' list of recruits that were about a year away. I don't obsess about the Michigan class versus other classes but everyday I just find I need moar recruiting info. It started about seven years ago with Mike DeSimone, then MGoBlog, Tom VH...I started checking two, then three sites per day. Soon enough it started taking over various aspects of my life: iphone apps, a quick check before bed...sometimes I was even following recruiting at work. It never really affected my job performance or family life as I am what they call a "functional recruiting addict" whatever that means...

As a (fake) doctor, I can tell you that your problem is not all that advanced. You're not reporting that you check the twitter feeds, facebook pages, or personal e-mails of top recruits. You have not acquired their phone numbers and texted them, or gone to their week 5 game against JFK High School to "scout" them. By your own account, you seem like someone who is doing the "gateway" recruit following, so you ought to be careful (though some doctors think that the so-called "gateway" recruiting sites are no more dangerous than ESPN.com)

My advice: the next time you feel tempted to check a recruiting site, watch a WolverineHistorian video instead. You'll find them to be much more rewarding.

nothing against any one of the guys doing this type of thing, but there is just too many of these guys floating around now IMHE. When I first came to this site we had TomVH and then Tim started contributing as well. A few short years later and pretty much any nutcase with a cell phone thinks he has what it takes to be a recruiting analyst.

Again, I have nothing against any of these guys personally, but if it comes to a point where either the sheer number of these recruiting experts or the nature in which they gather and dispense their information starts hurting UM recruiting I will be a little more put off.

Again, nothing against you personally aquaman these are just my thoughts of late. I can remember the first time I saw one of your posts my first thought was "Another recruiting guy...". I just think it might be getting too much.

Perhaps you shouldn't bug these recruits every other day looking for a quote. As nice at is to have new content, it honestly doesn't clue us in on new information. Frankly, if this turns off Armani to Michigan...well, I think we have our scapegoat.

is this real? I hope so, I love that our incoming (& prospective) student-athletes seem to be coming together as friends. should make for great times & success on the field. I wish I was as cool as Shane Morris, but alas.

In my defense, I didn't have to post this update on here. I just wanted to be upfront with those who had read what I originally wrote yesterday. I thought I was doing the right thing. It was a misunderstanding. Nothing more, nothing less.

Not that it means much but I appreciate the hard work you and the others from your site are doing. Like you said, this wasn't a big deal and mistakes, misunderstandings happen and being upfront about them shows a lot of character IMO.

I would also like to thank Ace for his contributions to this site. All of you are doing great work.

You're doing a good job and reasonable members of the MGoBlogosphere are completely in line that in any business miscommunication can happen. You're just getting hit with a little of the blog irrationality.

Keep up the good work and ignore the irrational anger; it's a blog involving recruiting to a football team...srsly.

None of us know who or what matter of God Aquaman is. Is he an accredited journalist? Aquaman could be just another poster who loves following recruiting and wants to get the first tidbits of news out there for other recruiting junkies who are freebasing committment news. Aquaman could also be that "Guy" that we've discussed in the past who creepily stalks these kids and actually has the balls to contact them without believing that it's kind of creepy to seek out 17 year old kids. Do these kids know who Aquaman is or who does he tell them he is?

Bottom line is that many have been taking Aquaman's post as gospel without knowing any of these answers ourselves. What we do know and what we hope recruits know when things like this happen, is that Aquaman does not in any way shape or form represent the University of Michigan or it' Athletic Department.

Aquaman is doing what he's doing because it's how he embraces his passion for the Team. Nobody forces us to read his or any other post. I for one have not taken any of Aquaman's posts as fact or news but I've enjoyed reading some of his posts.

Aquaman, if this is your thing, do it and do it well. I for one prefer to wait a day or so and get my news from the people that are trained, accredited and paid to get and report it.

First and most importantly I've really enjoyed the prolific output Aquaman and co. have provided in the brief history of Tremendous.

This misunderstanding and the ensuing discussion makes me wonder if Aquaman, Keith, and any others at the Tremendous site could better avoid these situations by being more explicit about who they are and what their motivations are. Based on what I can gather from the very first post on Tremendous (check here), Aquaman is a Michigan grad and huge M sports fan in his mid 20s who has been thinking about doing something like this for the last five years.

I think that's, well, tremendous and the quality of the site and its rapid ascent speaks highly of those involved and arguably the Michigan fanbase as a whole.

However, unless I'm missing something, this is a very different thing than what the folks who work for the recruiting services are doing. These are generally guys who've been in the recruiting game as a career for a while and have built an extensive network of contacts among college and high school football coaches and other influencers. They are paid for their expertise and are accordingly held to a high standard. When those guys make mistakes--and they often do--they have to be accountable.

So it would seem unfair to both sides to compare what Aquaman is doing to what veterans at Rivals, Scout, or 24/7 are doing. Aquaman is a Michigan fan, a very knowledgeable one, and Tremendous by extension is a Michigan fan site.

I, for one, think we should be careful in our critiques of Aquaman and Tremendous. He's been very conscientious about his work and has always stepped up when he feels he's made mistakes, no matter how insignificant. There is an argument that this type of thing should be left to the professional recruiting analysts/commentators, but as long as Aquaman is not misrepresenting himself or his site's intentions, I think the pros of getting some quality insights into Michigan recruiting at no cost far outweigh the cons. And who knows, given how quickly the site has taken off, we could be witnessing the next Ace or TomVH. Everyone starts somewhere.

From where I am sitting, I could care less who ends up committing to Michigan. I am a fan of the game, I am passionate about my school, and I find enjoyment in watching our coaching staff turn boys into respectable men.

That said, who comes to Michigan is irrelevant to me. We have one hell of a coaching staff that is going to coach and teach each student athlete to the best of their ability. There is no need for me to bother with worrying about who wants to come here and who doesnt. A 2 star player can become an all american with the right coach and enough dedication.

To get caught up in the lives of 17 year old boys just because they like your school is bizarre to me. Let the kids go where they want. Hoke and company will make every effort to win the big ten regardless of who's on the squad..

So chill out on the "omg ________ said ________ on twitter/fb/etc." Take a step back and just worry about what you can control. Fergodsake's

From where I am sitting, I could care less who ends up committing to Michigan. I am a fan of the game, I am passionate about my school, and I find enjoyment in watching our coaching staff turn boys into respectable men.

That said, who comes to Michigan is irrelevant to me. We have one hell of a coaching staff that is going to coach and teach each student athlete to the best of their ability. There is no need for me to bother with worrying about who wants to come here and who doesnt. A 2 star player can become an all american with the right coach and enough dedication.

To get caught up in the lives of 17 year old boys just because they like your school is bizarre to me. Let the kids go where they want. Hoke and company will make every effort to win the big ten regardless of who's on the squad..

So chill out on the "omg ________ said ________ on twitter/fb/etc." Take a step back and just worry about what you can control. Fergodsake's

No harm no foul Aqua, but still to all those complaining about why Ace isn't posting as much as him, ithis is probably part of the reason, Ace trying to make sure he gets everything right before publishing it.

I'm with the "we have too many recruiting experts crowd." Obviously there's a market for this stuff, and Aquaman's just doing his best to make people happy by giving them the info that they demand, so I don't blame him at all.

I blame us, the Mgoblog posters. We crave up-to-the-minute reports of the whims of 17-18 year olds. It makes some sense - it's exciting to see the team get built, to know the moment the next big thing is coming to town. But I think we need to remember that these are kids in a high pressure environment that they may be totally unprepared to handle. I'd like to see us all take a step back and relax a little bit about the day-to-day of recruiting. If we don't, we're just going to fuel the demand for Aquaman, Ace, Sam Webb, the dudes at ESPN, Scout, Rivals, 247, etc. to get more information from recruits.

At the end of the day, who we recruit and who signs on with us matters. But we should remember that these are young people with a big decision to make, and we should try to leave them alone while they make that decision.

You might object that no one forces these kids to talk to the various recruiting beat reporters. And the reporters may comport themselves with the utmost care and courtesy. Even still, I think we're creating an intense atmosphere for these kids. While there's no one intense of an overly pushy reporter, I think the collective work of these guys is creating an unhealthy atmosphere for recruiting, and maybe opening the door for pushy reporters with fewer scruples to bug these kids for info.